Ramadan and drought in Kenya

This year's Ramadan, which is expected to begin today (February 18) or tomorrow, is taking place at a time when large parts of Kenya are suffering from drought.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a holy month of fasting. It commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad and is one of the five pillars of Islam. Mohamed Abdulkadir, Chairman of the Supreme Muslim Council of Kenya (SUPKEM), Lamu branch, stated that fasting during periods of acute water shortage often causes health problems and can lead to dizziness and even loss of consciousness, especially when combined with the intense heat caused by the drought. Mr. Mahmoud Ahmed, a Muslim religious leader, emphasized that the drought is accompanied by intense heat, further increasing the risk of dehydration. The drought in Kenya worsened dramatically at the beginning of 2026. Following the failure of the short rainy season at the end of 2025, millions of people are suffering from acute food shortages, and the government has launched extensive relief efforts. This year is experiencing a record drought. The drought is due to the absence of the short rainy season from October to December 2025, which in many areas was the driest since 1981. Rainfall reached only 30-60% of the usual amount, exacerbating the situation in many places. Counties affected by the drought include Mandera, Turkana, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, and parts of Lamu. The situation is particularly critical in the "alert" phases in Mandera, Wajir, Kwale, and Kilifi, while 12 other counties are in the "alert" phase. The number of people affected rose from 2.1 million in January to 3.3 million in February 2026 and could reach 3.6 million by June. Over 810,000 children and 104,000 pregnant/breastfeeding women are suffering from acute malnutrition. Contaminated water is also increasing the incidence of diseases such as typhus. Then there is the existential crisis that arises when livestock die. This is particularly hard on livestock farming communities. In Wajir, animal carcasses are a common sight, as pastures and water sources have completely dried up. This is leading to an economic catastrophe: the value of weakened animals has plummeted – goats that used to fetch up to 12,000 shillings now bring in only 600 shillings. In Turkana, residents report an unprecedented crisis. Families depend on gathering wild fruits, but even these are becoming increasingly scarce. The drought is also exacerbating conflicts over scarce resources, as demonstrated by a fatal attack in Turkana. The government has allocated a budget of 4.1 billion shillings and is coordinating emergency relief efforts with the Kenya Red Cross and the UN. However, the biggest problem is funding. Aid supplies are only sufficient for two to three weeks, and cuts in international funding, including from the US, are forcing organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) to reduce their support. This is a recurring pattern. The current crisis is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend. Scientists attribute the more frequent and intense droughts to climate change. The cycles are shortening: once occurring every 20 years, they are now almost an annual phenomenon. The underlying cause could be that Kenya's geography makes the country vulnerable, as 83% of its land area is arid or semi-arid. Arid and semi-arid regions are characterized by low rainfall, although there are significant differences in rainfall amounts and vegetation. Arid areas receive less than 250 mm of rainfall per year, while semi-arid zones receive 250–500 mm. Long-term solutions could include sustainable projects, such as the construction of sand dams, in addition to emergency aid. These dams store water in the sand and supply communities like Kitui year-round, even during droughts. Viongozi wasihi misaada imiminike kwa Waislamu maeneo kame msimu huu wa mfungo, taifa leo